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On Australia Day in 1988, my parents had a backyard dress-up party. I remember there was a lot of black-and-white chequered headbands, a la Pat Cash.

Having won Wimbledon the year before, he was one of Australia's favourite sons. He was all over the media and I guess he was somewhat of an idol to me as an 11-year-old kid growing up in Perth.

Who else did I look up?

Well there was Kylie. She was the reason I desperately wanted a spiral perm and Paul Hogan for Crocodile Dundee.

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There was Ken Done and his big, bright art pieces, Olivia Newton-John, who was always in mum's New Idea, and Daryl Somers who was on our TV every Saturday night (we were big Hey Hey It's Saturday! fans)

Twenty-five years later (holy moley – that makes me feel old), I've got two kids of my own and I'm curious as to who will be their Australian role models.

Given that they're only two and four, they haven't exactly given me a lot of hints. So, I've taken the liberty of coming up with a list of Aussies that they're exposed to in the media that I'd like them to look up to as they grow.

It's no definitive list, but it's based on my personal experience (including a long time working in media) coupled with my values of family, determination, passion and kindness. You might have your own suggestions – and I'd love to hear those too.

Dr Chris Brown

In our house, we don't kill spiders - daddy takes them outside. My husband has always been very keen to teach our kids about animals (even spiders) and how we need to respect them and their environment.

I think Dr Chris Brown provides a great Aussie role model by creating awareness for our furry friends and promoting compassion for animals.

I was lucky enough to meet him once and I'm happy to report that he was lovely.

Ruby Rose

Why's Ruby on my list? Well it's not for the modelling, VJing, DJing or the tattoos. It's for her work with anti-bullying campaigns.

As a mum, bullying scares the crap out of me. And bullying plus the internet scares me even more!

Ruby is an ambassador for headspace who's shared her story (she was beaten unconscious by bullies at high school) and her message is simple - bullying isn't cool, if it happens - speak out.

Anh Do

I don't read a lot of books these days (I just don't get enough time to myself) but Anh's The Happiest Refugee was one I look the time to read. It didn’t actually take long to finish because I was hooked from the start.

The autobiographical story has won a stack of awards, including 2011 Australian Book of the Year, and I love Anh’s kindness and patience and his grateful attitude to life. There's a lot to be said for being grateful. It’s definitely a trait I’d like to instil in my little guys.

His The Happiest Refugee live show is at the Perth Concert Hall on May 16 and 17.

Hugh Jackman

Hugh appears on just about every list of amazing Aussies and what's not to love? Here's a guy who grew up in a broken family (his Mum moved back to England when he was eight, leaving him with his dad in Australia) yet is one of the best examples of a family man.

I love that he's giving (he works with charities like the Global Poverty Project and World Vision), intelligent and kind. Even take away the success and the acting (including the recent best actor Golden Globe for Les Miserables), singing and dancing - he's the kind of guy I'd love my sons to grow up to be like.

Emergency services workers and volunteers

The latest bushfire crises in the east and Tasmania reminds us how amazing our emergency services teams are - particularly the volunteers.

My family was living in Brisbane two years ago when the floods hit and to see the efforts of these people was inspiring.

The communities' desires to lend a hand also deserve a mention. Australians are a good bunch in a crisis and I know in Brissie there were 'too many' people wanting to help with the recovery. Amazing.

Jessica Mauboy

Jess really blossomed after Australia Idol (she's still only 23) and while she's developed an air of sophistication, she still always talks with such enthusiasm and a big, friendly smile.

I love that she talks about her family a lot. She might be living and working far from where she grew up, this is the girl who still makes it back to Darwin for Christmas and looks forward to going fishing with her dad.

Having worked in radio for a long time, I'm sometimes privy to finding out what stars are really like. By all accounts, this young woman is one of the hardest working and passionate stars you'll ever meet.

Nic Naitanui

My four year old has noticed the West Coast Eagles ruckman on the TV. I think it's the hair and that his name is actually pretty fun to say.

But I like Nic Nat as a role model for what he shows about dedicated to health and fitness and success. He's also a nice guy in a game that's got its fair share of anti-role models.

My husband was a teacher at Naitanui's high school and says he was always respectful and kind (and popular with the girls). An avid tweeter, his Twitter page says: "Footy, fam n friends is what I'm all about. It is what it is...count your blessings."

Giggle and Hoot

I know this endorsement would get the thumbs up from my boys.

The things I like about ABC for Kids' Jimmy Giggle and his best friend Hoot the owl are their friendship, their respect for the environment (they live in a recycled house), their quest for fun – doing art and having dress ups, and their kindness to kids.

They sing about getting ready for bed and having a bath. They're tops in my book!

Ryan Marron

Ryan Marron was working in the police force in the Kimberley when he was bitten by a mosquito and struck down with Murray Valley Encephalitis which attacked his brain and robbed him of the abilities to walk or talk. I'd seen his story in the news, but last year I was asked to write an article about his recovery and I was amazed at what I learnt about his dedication to getting better. His recovery has been amazing as has the devotion of his fiancé Toni (also a cop). His 'never give up' attitude is something we can all look up to. Today Ryan and Toni are back at work at the police academy.

Dr Charlie Teo

I can only imagine that it takes a lot of natural talent and a bucket load of dedication (which I imagine would also mean a lot of sacrifice) to become a world-renowned brain surgeon. Teo has given hope to many people with supposedly 'inoperable' tumours and my mum actually suggested him for this list having known someone he'd given 'a few extra years to'. Teo's name was also mentioned to me recently when he was seen as the shining light for a guy I'd been to school with who was given little hope following a brain tumour diagnosis.

Some other surgeon's call him a 'maverick' but many Australians are grateful for the hope he gives them.

7 comments

Unfortunately when it comes to sports heroes for our children, there are too many Australian douche bags.

Gone are the days when we had people like Peter Brock to look up to.

Commenter

Michael

Location

Stirling

Date and time

January 25, 2013, 12:03PM

Tomic - LOL!!!

Commenter

Syphur

Location

Date and time

January 25, 2013, 4:03PM

Zero points for originality there,so Iassume you want your kids to be like clones?What about someone unheard of?Would that be too far out, too avant garde? Why should the choices consist of pop culture items of materialistic value?Ideological and moral propaganda tools and stereotypes of social norms and mores?Why not a relative for example,or would family values conflict with the trendy cultural directions?Yes, of course they would.But so what.

Commenter

Kane

Location

Date and time

January 25, 2013, 4:34PM

Thanks for your comments Kane.

Of course my kids have family member role models - their dad gets a mention under the Dr Chris Brown heading... but this blog was prefaced as 'a list of Aussies that they're exposed to in the media.'

Commenter

Elissa Griesser

Location

WAtoday

Date and time

January 25, 2013, 5:19PM

Don't suppose the kidlets know who Ita Buttrose is? Maybe make them listen to the Cold Chisel song.